EP1711982A1 - Releasable clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a releasable clamp (1), for incorporation in the clamp tunnel (3) of a housing of an electrical device, such as, for example, a fault current breaker, a power breaker or similar, comprising a rectangular frame (2) and a rectangular case (4), the upper section (5) of which is arranged between the upper section (7) and the lower section (8) of the frame, the case (4) being adjustably held in the frame (2) to form a clamp opening (13), further comprising a clamp screw (9), introduced with free rotation through an opening (10), machined in the upper frame section (7) and engaging in a thread (12), machined in the upper section (5) of the case (4) and a closing screen (16), fixed to the case (4), extending away from the lower section (6) of the case (4) into the space (14) below the case (4) and running parallel to the plane of an insertion opening (15) in the housing adjacent to the releasable clamp. According to the invention, an improvement in plugging security, achieved with the closing screen, with simple construction and a simple automated assembly of the clamp may be achieved, whereby the closing screen (16) is attached to a support piece (17) with a U-shaped cross-section, the cross-piece (19) of the U being arranged on the lower side of the lower section (6) of the case (4) and the legs (20) of the U are drawn up on the side walls (22) of the adjustable case (4), defining the clamp opening (13) and are fixed or clipped to said side walls (22).

Description

 lift terminal

The invention relates to a lift clamp for installation in the terminal tunnel of a housing of an electrical appliance, such as e.g. a residual current circuit breaker, circuit breaker od. Like. Comprising a rectangular frame and a rectangular box, the upper portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame is arranged, whereby the box for forming a clamping opening is adjustably held in the frame, further comprising a Clamping screw which is freely rotatably guided through an aperture machined in the upper frame portion and engaged in a thread machined in the upper portion of the box, and a box-lock aperture extending from the lower portion of the box to below the box lying extending space and parallel to the plane of an adjacent to the lift terminal insertion in the housing.

In these known electrical installation devices, the Nerschlussblende serves to seal the after clamping an electrical connection part by tightening the clamping screw and thus adjusting the adjustable box free area of the insertion. This prevents accidental improper charging of the terminal with a connection part.

It is known to fix such a Nerschlussblende directly on the adjustable box, either on the north side corresponding to the clamping opening (EP 0710404 Bl) or on the underside of the adjustable box (EP 0687032).

However, such arrangements have on the one hand the disadvantage of a mechanically insufficiently strong connection of the shutter with the adjustable box and on the other hand a low torsional stiffness of the shutter itself, so that is not always ensured that in an accidental insertion of the electrical connection part in the covered by the shutter insertion the closure panel yields and an accidental insertion of the electrical connection part in the covered opening is still possible.

From FR 2 601 513 it is known to form the shutter as part of a cage which is plugged onto the adjustable box. As a result, although a sufficient mechanical stability of the actual shutter is achieved, but a separate structurally complex designed component is required, which also requires a complicated assembly of the terminal. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a lift clamp, in which with a simple structural design to achieve through the shutter

Einstecksicherheit is further improved, this with a simple and automatable

Assembly of the clamp.

According to the invention this is achieved in that the shutter at an in

Cross-section U-shaped support member is formed, whose U-cross bar is disposed on the underside of the lower portion of the box, and whose U-leg to the

Pulled up the clamping opening bounding side walls of the adjustable box and fixed to these side walls, e.g. is clipped on.

The proposed measures, it is possible a mechanically stable and safe

Aperture form, which in a simple step, without the necessary

Application of tools such as screwdrivers, on an already existing

Component can be attached. By the U-shaped legs is a high

Achieved torsional rigidity of the component and improves the handling by the two substantially parallel surfaces.

In a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the preferably made of plastic shutter is made in one piece with the support member. This makes it possible the component in a single step on the

To install box. The use of plastic ensures high reliability and simple and inexpensive mass production.

In this context, it can be provided in a development of the invention that the

Legs of the U have a first of the width of the adjustable box corresponding and a second narrower region, wherein means for anchoring the support member to the adjustable box are preferably formed on the second narrower portion of the support member. As a result, the necessary holding force by the resilient action of

Plastic provided.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the support part with spacers, e.g. in the form of at least one rib, is formed. Such

Ribs / ribs increase / increase the moment of resistance and the torsional stiffness of the

Component. Due to the higher dimensional stability of the component under mechanical stress, an automated assembly of the same is supported.

In a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the widenings at least partially formed on the inside of the clamping tunnel guides are included. This allows a guide of the movement of the component in the terminal tunnel and prevents tilting of the component in the terminal tunnel. By the leadership of the mechanical compressive strength of the shutter is further increased and thus the security against misconnection of the terminal, since the pressure forces occurring at the diaphragm are transmitted via the spacers directly to the guides of the terminal tunnel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that on the shutter a engageable with the Einstecköffhung latching lug is arranged. Such a locking lug is a simple and effective end stop, and thus allows easy backup of the shutter against falling out. The design of the locking lug ensures easy installation of the entire lift clamp.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a lift clamp according to the prior art;

Fig. 2 is an axonometric view of a lift clamp according to the invention with removed shutter and schematically illustrated clamp tunnel, Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of a lift clamp according to FIG. 2 with mounted shutter and

Fig. 4 is an axonometric view of the lift clamp used in the terminal tunnel with open terminal opening.

The present invention relates to lift clamps and is not limited to use in residual current circuit breakers or circuit breakers. However, it can nevertheless be used in electrical appliances of any type, that is to say, for example, in the case of a circuit breaker disconnector, staircase automaton, etc. The lift clamp 1 has, as previously known screw terminals of this type, a frame 2 which is of rectangular design, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. It usually consists of a one-piece, three times 90 ° angled copper strip. This frame 2 is immovably held in a clamping tunnel of the housing. This can be achieved, for example, by clamping between projections on the inner wall of the clamping tunnel.

Second main component of the lift clamp 1 is a box 4, which is also designed like a frame. The box 4 is rotated by 90 ° relative to the frame 2 and hung in this, ie the upper portion 5 of the box 4 is located between the upper portion 7 and the lower portion 8 of the frame 2. The box 4 is thus slidably guided in the frame 2. The third main component of the lift clamp 1 is the clamping screw 9. The upper portion 7 of the frame 2 has an opening 10 through which the clamping screw 9 is freely rotatably guided. In the upper portion 5 of the box 4, a thread 12 is incorporated, in which the clamping screw 9 engages. If the clamping screw 9 is rotated in the closing direction (ie clockwise when the clamping screw 9 is designed as a right-hand screw), the box 4 is lifted, ie moved in the direction of the upper frame section 7. This shift is due to the fact that the clamping screw 9 comes to rest with its foot-side end on the lower frame section 8 or with its head 11 on the upper frame section 7. Continued inward turning of the clamping screw 9 in the box thread 12 can thus not lead to shifts of the clamping screw 9 down, but only to a lifting of the box 4. If the clamping screw 9 is rotated in the opening direction (ie counterclockwise when the clamping screw 9 is designed as a right-hand screw), the box 4 is lowered, ie moved in the direction of the lower frame section 8.

Such a lift clamp 1 has two points at which electrical lines can be clamped. On the one hand, leads can be introduced into the clamping opening lying between the lower frame section 8 and the lower box section 6, which is schematically indicated by 13 in the drawings, and on the other hand into the space 14 lying between the upper frame section 7 and the screw head 11 be (see Fig.l). When tightening the clamping screw 9, both the lower portions 8 and 6 of the frame 2 and the box 4 are pressed against each other and the screw head 11 against the upper frame section 7 while the introduced into the rooms 13 and 14 lines clamped.

As a rule, 13 lead wires are inserted into the lying between the lower frame section 8 and lower box section 6 terminal opening and inserted into the lying between the upper frame section 7 and screw head 11 space 14, a terminal lug a busbar system. In order in particular to keep the space 13 accessible for insertion of electrical lines, an insertion opening 15 is provided in the housing at the level of the space 13.

In connection with the insertion of a lead wire in the lower space 13 is in particular when the clamp is not opened wide enough, ie the lower portion 6 of Box 4 too close to the lower portion 8 of the frame 2 is the problem that this wire, although passed through the Einstecköffhung 15, but then mistakenly placed not in the terminal opening 13, but under the box 4. A proper pinching this wire is then no longer possible.

In order to prevent such a mis-insertion of a lead wire, the box 4 is connected to a shutter 16 which extends from the lower portion 6 of the box 4 away from this, in the lying below the box 4 space. This shutter 16 extends parallel to the plane of the insertion 15 and is located immediately adjacent to this.

In the lift clamp 1 according to the invention the shutter 16 is integrally formed on a support member 17, preferably formed integrally therewith. The support member 17 has the shape of a U-shaped bracket 18, wherein the shutter 16 is integrally formed on an end face of the transverse web 19 of the U, that it is aligned perpendicular to this. The support member 17 is now placed on the box 4, that the transverse web 19 of the U-shaped bracket 18 comes to rest on the bottom of the lower portion 6 of the box 4 with complete release of the edge of the section 6 of the adjustable box 4. The legs 20 of the U-shaped bracket 18 respectively along the attached to the clamping opening 13 bounding side walls 22 of the adjustable box 4 adjacent raised.

Preferably, the dimensions of the transverse web 19 of the U-shaped bracket 18 correspond to those of the lower portion 6 of the box 4, so that the legs 20 fit snugly against the side walls 22 of the box 4. Also conceivable is an embodiment in which the length of the U-transverse web 19 is greater than that of the box 4 is selected and the legs 20 are bent back in the manner of spring clips in the direction of the side walls 22 and are pulled up to this fitting.

Facing the side walls 22 of the box 4, each leg 20 carries means for anchoring it to the side walls 22 and thus to the supporting part 17 on the box 4. These anchoring means may be of any design, e.g. act to a clip connection and / or to act on the legs 20 each formed and positively received by a recess 28 or opening in the box side walls 22 extension 21, od. Like.

Due to the anchoring of the support member 17 to the box 4, the shutter 16 is moved together with the box 4 and thus covers the lying below the box 4 section of the insertion 15th The legs 20 of the U-shaped bracket 18 have a first adjoining the transverse web 19 area, which corresponds in width to the width of the adjustable box 4. At this first area 23, a second, symmetrical to the first closes

Area 23 arranged narrower area 24, which carries the means for anchoring 21 of the support member 17 on the adjustable box 4.

However, the invention is not limited to this structural design, but also equal width legs 20 are possible as well as the attachment of the

Anchoring means 21 at the wider leg portions.

At its the shutter 16 bearing end face of the bracket 18, in particular to the

End faces of the legs 20 with spacers, z. B. ribs 25 are formed. It is particularly advantageous if, in order to form a guide of the carrying part 17 in the clamping tunnel 3 on the inside thereof, corresponding receptacles 26, such as e.g. Grooves for which widening is provided.

At the terminal tunnel 3 side facing the shutter 16 carries a locking lug

27, which can be brought into a latching connection with the insertion opening 15 (FIG. 3)

For reasons of electrical insulation shutter and support member is preferably made

Made of plastic.

Claims

PATENT APPLICATIONS A lift clamp (1) for installation in the clamp tunnel (3) of a housing of an electrical appliance, such as a motor vehicle. a residual current circuit breaker, circuit breaker od. Like. Comprising a rectangular frame (2) and a rectangular box (4), the upper portion (5) between the upper portion (7) and the lower portion (8) of the frame is arranged, whereby the box (4) is adjustably held in the frame (2) to form a clamp opening (13), further comprising a clamping screw (9) freely rotatably guided through an aperture (10) formed in the upper frame section (7) and engages a thread (12) formed in the upper portion (5) of the box (4), and a shutter (16) fixed to the box (4) and extending from the lower portion (6) of the box (4) extends below the box (4) lying space (14) and parallel to the plane of an adjacent to the lift clamp (1) insertion opening (15) extends in the housing, characterized in that the shutter (16) at a cross-sectionally U-shaped Supporting part (17) is formed, whose U-transverse web (19) on the underside of the lower portion (6) of the box (4) is arranged, and its U-legs (20) on the Klemmöff ung (13) delimiting side walls ( 22) of the adjustable box (4) pulled up and fixed to these side walls (22), eg is clipped on. 2. Lift clamp (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the preferably made of plastic shutter (16) with the support member (17) is made in one piece. 3. lift clamp (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the legs (20) of the U have a first width of the adjustable box corresponding area (23) and a second narrower area (24), wherein means for anchoring (21) the support part (17) on the adjustable box (4) are preferably formed on the second narrower region (24) of the support part. Lifting clamp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the supporting part (17) is provided with spacers, e.g. in the form of at least one rib (25) is formed. 5. lift clamp (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the spacers are at least partially received on the inside of the clamping tunnel (3) formed guides (26). 6. Lift clamp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that on the closure panel (16) with the Einstecköffhung (15) can be brought into locking connection locking lug (27) is arranged.